Michael Gonzalez Bio

Graduated from Harvest Christian Academy (TX). Played one year of baseball at San Jacinto Junior College in Houston.

2012

Did not attend Spring Training with any club. Signed as a free agent with Washington on 5/8 after recovering from left knee surgery. Began the season at Triple-A Syracuse, making his only appearance on 6/1 at Indianapolis. Contract was selected by Washington on 6/3. Went 0-0 with a 3.03 ERA in 47 relief appearances with the Nationals. Held opponents to a .237 batting average, including .179 to left-handed hitters (12-for-67). Recorded 39 strikeouts in just 35.2 innings. Appeared in 1 game during the NLDS vs. St. Louis (1ip, 1h, 1r, 1er, 0bb, 1k) ... allowed a solo homer to Carlos Beltran in Game 2 on 10/8 at Busch Stadium. Signed as a free agent with Milwaukee on 1/7/13.

2011

Combined to go 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA (26 ER/53.1 IP) in 56 relief appearances with Baltimore and Texas...was 1-for-2 in save chances...had 8 holds and finished 15 games...allowed 7 of 27 (25.9%) inherited runners to score...first batters hit just .176 (9-51) with 2 extra-base hits (both doubles), 5 walks, and 10 strikeouts...opponents batted .250 (51-204), including just .214 (22-103) by lefthanders...allowed 7 home runs, all with Baltimore, matching his career high (also 7 in 2009).

TEXAS: Made 7 appearances for Texas in September after the trade, posting no record and a 5.14 ERA (4 ER/7.0 IP)...retired 5 of 7 first batters...opponents hit just .208 (5-24) and lefties were 3-for-13 (.231)...allowed one of 3 inherited runners to score...finished 10-0 win on Sept. 2 at Boston with scoreless 9th inning, but allowed 2 runs in 1.0 inning in 2nd outing Sept. 4 at Boston...those runs allowed ended stretch of 13.1 scoreless innings over 14 outings...retired all 6 batters faced in 2.0 scoreless innings on Sept. 13 vs. Cleveland, matching longest outing all year...permitted inherited runner to score in that outing, however, snapping stretch in which he had stranded 15 straight.

BALTIMORE: Went 2-2 with a 4.27 ERA (22 ER/46.1 IP) in 49 relief appearances for Baltimore this season...held left-handed batters to a .211 (19-90) average...tossed 12.1 scoreless innings over his final 13 outings with the O's beginning July 22, with opponents batting .122 (5-41) in that span...allowed runs in just one of his last 19 appearances, 1.62 ERA (3 ER/16.2 IP) in that span...last 25 outings beginning June 20: 1.93 ERA (5 ER/23.1 IP), 6 walks, 23 strikeouts, .205 (17-83) opponents avg. with no home runs allowed...permitted 6 of 24 (25.0%) inherited runners to score, but stranded final 13 inherited runners...recorded 6 holds with 14 games finished...first batters hit .178 (8-45) with 2 XBH (both doubles), 4 walks, and 8 K's...earned lone save on July 16 vs. Cleveland...wasejected for hitting Dickerson in 15th inning on May 18 vs. New York-AL...was on MLB suspended list from July 26-28 for throwing behind David Ortiz on July 10 at Boston...matched career high with 4 K's, April 30 at Chicago-AL.

2010

Made 29 appearances in his first season with the Orioles ... Allowed 2ER in 0.1 IP, suffering a blown save and loss in his first O's appearance on Opening Day @TB ... Collected first save on April 8 @TB (1.0IP, H, 2BB, 2K) ... Blew second save in three chances on April 9 vs. TOR ... Placed on 15-day disabled list (strained left shoulder) on April 14 ... Transferred to the 60-day DL on May 25 and was reinstated on July 21 ... Pitched to a 1.76 ERA (15.1IP, 3ER) in first 18 appearances after being activated from the DL ... Owned a 2.78 ERA (22.2IP, 7ER) in 26 games after the All-Star break ... Tied season-high with three K's in 1.1 scoreless IP on September 13 vs. TOR ... Earned first Oriole win on September 19 vs. NYY, his first win since September 27, 2009 ... Stranded 18 of 19 inherited runners ... Held righties to a .130 average (7-54) with a .495 OPS while lefties hit .324 (11-34) with an .849 OPS ... Held opponents to a .185 average (5-27) with RISP ... Did not allow an ER in four games (3.0IP) vs. BOS and NYY ... Pitched to a 4.26 ERA (12.2IP, 6ER) in 12 rehab appearances with four minor league affiliates

2009

Career-high 80 appearances ranked 3rd in the majors...Established career highs in wins (5) and innings pitched (74.1)...Has not committed an error in 5 years (a span of 239 games)...His .142 (15-106) opponents average with runners on base ranked 3rd in the majors (min. 100 AB)...Allowed his first run in 22 appearances and his first HR in 28 appearances on Wes Helms' walk-off HR, September 2 @FLA...After the All-Star break, allowed just four earned runs in 32.1 IP (1.11 ERA)...Did not allow an earned run in 14 August appearances (14.2 IP, 14K) and opponents hit just .106 for the month...Over his last 14 appearances, dating to September 1, struck out 13 in 12.2IP with a 2.84 ERA...Posted a 1.80 ERA (15.0IP, 3ER) in June while striking out 19...Struck out a season-high 3 batters 7 different times

2008

Activated 6/18 off 15-day DL for first time since undergoing "Tommy John" surgery on 5/31/07...Suffered his first blown save since 6/25/04 (in middle relief) on 9/9 vs. COL, when he allowed a solo home run to lead off the ninth inning. It snapped his streak of 39 consecutive successful save opportunities, which was the longest active streak of its kind in the major leagues...Allowed a career-high 21 R, 16 ER and 6 HR in just 33.2 IP...Started out with four saves and a 3.00 ERA in his first 15 games (5 ER/15.0 IP) through June and July, but finished 0-3 with 10 saves (12 opps.) and a 5.30 ERA (11 ER/18.2 IP) over 21 games in August and Sept...Prior to his BS on 9/9, he owned a 0.93 ERA (9.2 IP/1 ER) and no walks in nine save opps...In 20 non-save opp., he was 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA (17.2 IP/11 ER) and allowed three of his six home runs and all three of his three-walk outings came in those 20 appearances...Picked up his 14th save on 9/23 at PHI...Over his final 12 appearances dating to 9/4, he struck out 20 batters in 10.2 IP...Suffered second blown save on 9/16 when he allowed a R. Howard 2-run HR in the eighth inning...Lost for the second time in six days on 9/6 vs. WSH after not registering a loss in over two years (7/23/06 at FLA)...Suffered his first loss on 9/1 at FLA when he walked the bases loaded and allowed the winning run to score on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. The three BBs issued matched his career high (7/29/08)...Earned his seventh save on 8/28 vs. FLA by striking out the side in order in the ninth inning...Allowed a career-high three earned runs on 8/13 (G2) vs. CHI and failed to retire a batter for just the seventh time in his career (last: 9/2/05 vs. CHI)...Collected his fifth save with a perfect 1.1 IP (1 K) 8/7 at ARI, marking just the second time in his career (5/21/05) that he recorded a save in a game in which he pitched more than one inning...Allowed a career-high five runs 7/29 vs. STL on two hits and three walks, but only one run was earned...Pitched two scoreless innings (0 H/4 K) on 7/6, marking the first time in nearly two years he recorded at least 2.0 innings in an outing (last 7/16/06)...Threw 1.0 scoreless inning to earn his first save since 5/11/07 at PIT in his first game off the disabled list on 6/18 at TEX. It was his first MLB appearance since 5/15/07 at WSH.

2007

Placed on the 15-day disabled list on 5/16 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on 7/6 after undergoing season-ending "Tommy John" surgery on 5/31 by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham. He is expected to start 2008 on the disabled list with the hope of returning midseason. Has converted 30 consecutive save opportunities, dating back to 8/16/04 (1 in 2004, 3 in 2005, 24 in 2006and 2 in 2007) after blowing each of his first three career save opps in 2004. At home he was 2-0 with a save and a 0.93 ERA while picking up one save with a 2.45 ERA on the road. Held right-handed batters to a .189 (7-for-37) avg., while left-handed batters hit .333 (8-for-24). Made 14 consecutive scoreless appearances before allowing a run 5/15 at WSH. Posted a 1.74 ERA (2 ER/ 10.1 IP) in April. Collected first save with the Braves with a scoreless ninth inning on 5/6 vs. LAD. Got his first win with the Braves with a scoreless inning of relief on 4/30 vs. PHI. Made his first appearance since 4/16 on 4/23 at FLA and recorded a scoreless inning. Underwent an MRI exam on his left elbow on 4/19; results were negative. Made his Braves debut on 4/2 at PHI and allowed a walk and a double before getting out of the inning. Acquired on 1/19 from PIT along with INF Brent Lillibridge in exchange for INF Adam LaRoche and OF Jamie Romak.

2006

Established career highs in appearances, saves, innings and strikeouts in his fourth big-league campaign...Did not pitch after 8/24 due to left elbow tendinitis...Converted all 24 of his save opportunities and ended the season with a major-league-best 28 consecutive saves (dating back to 8/16/04) and a club record for most consecutive saves in back-to-back seasons...Established Pirates' club record for most saves in a season by a left-handed pitcher...Suffered a loss in season debut on 4/6 at CIN; Was scored upon in first two outings (2.0 IP/2 ER) before making seven straight scoreless appearances (6.1IP)...Threw a total of just five pitches while picking up first save in third outing on 4/11 vs. LAD...Allowed just one hit (14 AB) in five-game stretch from 4/15-29...Served up a walkoff home run to Carlos Delgado in the 12th inning of a 4-3 loss at NYM on 5/3; was the only home run he allowed in 2006...Pitched 2.0 shutout innings and picked up first win on 5/6 at WSH...Did not allow a run in six consecutive outings from 5/6-20, dropping ERA to a season-low 1.65...Was scored upon once in 14 games from 4/11 thru 5/20 (14.1 IP/1 ER)...Earned six saves in six straight appearances from 6/3-14...Made 10 straight scoreless outings and surrendered two hits (33 at-bats) from 6/25 thru 7/16 (11.0 IP), but picked up just two saves in that time...Established a Pirates' record for saves by a lefty with his 15th on 7/19 vs. COL...Did not allow a run and surrendered just two hits (in 29 at-bats) in his last nine appearances, picking up six saves in 9.0 innings of work.

2005

Established career highs in appearances, innings pitched, saves and strikeouts despite missing close to two months of action with an injured left knee...Made first appearance on Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster...Did not allow a run in first three appearances (3.1ip)...Allowed two runs and did not retire any of the three batters he faced on 4/10 @San Diego...Surrendered three hits and two runs on 4/13 @Milwaukee...Did not allow a run in 12 straight appearances (13.0ip) from 4/16 thru 5/24...Picked up first save (second career) on 5/21 vs. Colorado...Was scored upon in back-to-back outings from 5/26-27. ...Suffered first loss (0.1ip/1r) on 5/27 @Cincinnati...Did not allow a run in six of his seven appearances (5.1ip) from 5/30 thru 6/12...Took the loss in a 1-0 game vs. Atlanta on 6/4 after allowing a run-scoring double to Julio Franco in the top of the 9th inning. ...Suffered third and final loss on 6/22 vs. Washington...Was placed on 15-day disabled list on 6/23 due to a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee...Made two rehab appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis; he retired each of the three batters he faced (1 K) @Louisville on 8/10 and struck out four of the seven batters he faced in 2.1 innings of work @Norfolk on 8/13...Was recalled from rehab assignment and reinstated from D.L. on 8/16...Struck out two batters while tossing a scoreless frame @New York (NL) on 8/17, his first appearance with the Pirates since 6/22...Surrendered his only two home runs while pitching with Pittsburgh on 9/3 vs. Chicago (NL)...Was scored upon in back-to-back outings on 9/2 (0.0ip/2er) and 9/3 (2.0ip/2er), but was unscored upon in his final 12 appearances (14.1ip/5h/8bb/21so)...Whiffed all three batters he faced @St. Louis on 9/13...Picked up second save on 9/14 @St. Louis...Escaped bases loaded, no-out jam in 9th inning to earn third save in 3-2 win @Wrigley Field on 9/28...Held opposing hitters to a .197 batting average (35-for-178)...Went 3-for-3 in save situations and allowed seven of his 33 inherited runners to score...Did not appear as a batter.

2004

Was named to the Topps Major League All-Star Rookie team...Ranked third among National League relievers in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched (11.4) behind Houston's Brad Lidge (14.9) and Los Angeles' Eric Gagne (12.4)...Ranked second among all major league relievers in walks allowed per 9.0 innings pitched (1.25) behind Philadelphia's Billy Wagner (1.12)...Ranked 10th among National League relievers in batting average against (.201)...Began season with Nashville (AAA)...Tossed season-high tying 3.0 innings on 4/22 vs. Albuquerque...Posted a 1.54 ERA (11.2ip/2er) in April...Allowed two runs in his first five appearances, but none in nine straight outings from 4/22 thru 6/1 (13.2ip)...Picked up saves in back-to-back appearances on 5/9 @Oklahoma and 5/13 vs. Tacoma...Struck out 33 batters in his first 18.2 innings of work...Was recalled by Pittsburgh on 5/18...Picked up first major league win on 5/20 vs. San Diego with 1.2 innings of perfect relief...Earned second straight win in Pittsburgh's 5-4, 10-inning win vs. Chicago on 5/28 (game two)...Limited opponents to an .083 average (1-for-12) in his first four outings...Was optioned to Nashville on 5/30. ...Made one appearance with the Sounds before being recalled a second and final time by Pittsburgh on 6/2...Did not allow a run in his first 12 appearances with Pittsburgh...Was scored upon for the first time after allowing an unearned run on 6/20 vs. Seattle and suffered "blown save"...Entered game on 6/25 with the bases loaded and surrendered a grand slam to Cincinnati's Wily Mo Pena and suffered second straight "blown save"...Did not allow a run in seven straight appearances (7.1ip) following the grand slam. ...Struck out three of the four batters he faced on 7/4 vs. Milwaukee...Lowered ERA to 0.48 following the action on 7/24...Had two-run double off Cincinnati's Danny Graves in first career plate appearance on 7/24...Improved to 3-0 on 7/27 vs. Atlanta after Bucs scored five times in 7th inning for an 8-4 victory...Did not allow a run in 10 straight appearances (9.0ip) from 7/29 thru 8/19...Picked up first major league save on 8/16 @Arizona...Was scored upon just once in 18 appearances (17.1ip) from 7/2 thru 8/19...Did not allow a walk in 16 straight outings (15.2ip) from 7/2 thru 8/15...Suffered only loss while allowing a season-high two runs on 8/20 @St. Louis (game two)...Was scored upon twice in final 14 games (14.0ip)...Struck out at least one batter in 35 of his 47 appearances...Allowed 11 of his 24 inherited runners to score...Was 1-for-4 in save situations with Pittsburgh.

2003

Spent time with five different teams...Began season on D.L. at Nashville with lower back spasms...Was reinstated from the disabled list on 6/9 and began a rehab assignment with Lynchburg (A)...Made five relief appearances with Lynchburg and went 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA (7.0ip/4er)...Had his rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Altoona on 6/24...Made five relief appearances with the Curve and went 0-0 with one save and a 1.23 ERA (7.1ip/1er)...Whiffed five batters and picked up the save on 7/2 @Norwich...Had his rehab assignment transferred to Nashville on 7/8...Was traded to Boston organization on 7/22...Was optioned to Pawtucket (Red Sox' AAA) and made two appearances with the club...Picked up a save in his second appearance with Pawtucket on 7/29 @Ottawa (game one)...Was traded back to Pittsburgh organization on 7/31...Picked up save in first game upon returning to Nashville on 8/1 vs. Albuquerque...Allowed five runs in 1.2 innings of relief on 8/5 vs. Colorado Springs...Was recalled by Pittsburgh on 8/11 and made major league debut that night vs. St. Louis (0.1ip/1bb)...Did not allow a run in his first four games with Bucs. ...Allowed solo home run to Miguel Cairo on 8/21 @St. Louis, the first run he surrendered in his big-league career...Entered game on 8/23 @Milwaukee with bases loaded and struck out only batter he faced (Geoff Jenkins)...Lost first major league decision on 8/24 @Milwaukee...Did not retire a batter (1h/1r) while making three straight appearances from 9/9-12.

2002

Began season with Altoona...Went 2-3 with a 6.23 ERA (30.1ip/21er) in his first six starts thru 5/8, but posted a 3-0 record and a 0.93 ERA (29.0ip/3er) in five starts from 5/14 thru 6/4...Whiffed a season-best nine batters on 5/29 vs. Norwich....Sustained a left knee injury on 6/4 and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on 6/14....Made two appearances with Bradenton while on a rehab assignment...Earned victories in each of his two starts; allowed just one unearned run in 7.1 innings (7 K's) on 7/30 vs. the Reds and tossed 6.0 hitless innings (7 K's) on 8/5 @Orioles...Returned to Altoona on 8/10 and was charged with eight earned runs in his first two starts (5.1ip)...Won his last three starts (20.2ip/4er - 1.74 ERA)...Participated in the Arizona Fall League and went 0-0 with two saves and a 1.06 ERA (17.0ip/6r/2er) in 13 relief appearances with Phoenix...Made five scoreless outings (7.0ip) before giving up four unearned runs on 10/18 vs. Peoria...Was charged with his two earned runs in his final appearance on 11/13.

2001

Split season between Lynchburg and Altoona and went 7-6 with a 3.51 ERA in 28 games (16 starts) with the two clubs...Began season in Lynchburg's bullpen and tossed 3.0 scoreless frames in first outing on 4/23 @Myrtle Beach...Was not charged with an earned run in his first three appearances (9.2ip)...Made first of two starts with the Hillcats on 5/10 and suffered the loss (4.0ip/6er) vs. Myrtle Beach...Returned to bullpen and was charged with just one earned run in his next six outings (6.2ip)...Picked up victory in second start (5.1ip/1er) on 6/7 vs. Potomac (game two)...Went 1-1 with a 1.27 ERA (21.1ip/3er) in 12 relief appearances and 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA (9.1ip/7er) in his two starts with Lynchburg...Was promoted to Altoona on 6/26...Won back-to-back starts on 7/3 and 7/8 (16.0ip/1er) and was named Eastern League's Player-of-the-Week...Struck out a season-high nine batters on 7/8 vs. Erie and again on 8/13 vs. Erie...Lost three straight decisions from 7/14 thru 8/7...Won three straight starts from 8/13-23. ...Hurled six-hit shutout @Harrisburg on 8/18 and 7.0 scoreless frames in his next start/win on 8/23 @Akron...Participated in the Arizona Fall League and went 0-1 with a 1.99 ERA (22.2ip/5er) in nine games (one start) with Maryvale.

2000

Was a spring training non-roster invitee with Pittsburgh...Suffered groin strain and began season with Extended Spring Training program in Bradenton, FL...Was assigned to Lynchburg on 6/25...Picked up first win and struck out season-high eight batters on 6/30 vs. Potomac...Made first of two relief appearances with Hillcats on 7/10 @Myrtle Beach...Lost three straight starts from 7/22 thru 8/3...Hurled 6.0 scoreless innings in victory vs. Winston-Salem on 8/8...Tossed 5.0 innings of relief and notched win in final appearance on 8/31 vs. Frederick...Had arthroscopic surgery performed on left shoulder on 9/28 (Dr. Brian Jewell in Pittsburgh).

1999

Went 12-7 with a 4.80 ERA in 27 combined games (25 starts) with Lynchburg and Altoona...Led Lynchburg staff in wins and strikeouts despite being promoted to Double-A at the end of July...Tied for third among Carolina League pitchers in wins...Began season with Hillcats and won first six decisions thru 5/20...Tossed 6.0 scoreless innings and whiffed season-high nine batters in first start on 4/10 vs. Winston-Salem...Won five straight starts from 4/25 thru 5/20...Surrendered nine hits and seven earned runs in 5.1ip, but won a 9-7 decision vs. Kinston on 5/6...Lost first game on 5/25 @Salem...Matched season high with nine strikeouts on 7/1 @Kinston...Was promoted to Altoona on 7/30...Made first appearance with Curve on 8/3 and surrendered one run in 2.0 innings of relief...Tossed 6.2 scoreless frames (one hit) in first Double-A start and victory on 8/7 vs. Erie...Won last decision on 8/12 before losing three straight starts from 8/17-30...Made final appearance from the bullpen on 9/6 @Erie...Went 2-3 with a 9.00 ERA (22.0ip/22er) in his five starts with Altoona and 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA (4.2ip/2er) in two relief outings...Participated in the inaugural California Fall League and went 1-2 with an 8.19 ERA (29.2ip/27er) in nine games (eight starts) with league champion Lancaster (club managed by former Pittsburgh Manager Lloyd McClendon).

1998

Split season between Augusta (A) and Lynchburg...Went 4-5 with a 4.22 ERA (79.0ip/37er) in 18 games (16 starts).

1997

Was selected by Pittsburgh in the 30th round of the June draft...Began professional career with Bradenton...Was promoted to Augusta on 8/5...Went 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA (48.1ip/12er) in 11 combined games (six starts) with the two clubs.